When Ollivander left, he kept muttering to himself, looking a little eccentric.
He was completely lost in his own world, as though nothing around him could reach him anymore.
"Looks like his spying days are over," Voldemort said with a smile to Lucius. "Who's left to see?"
"Mr. Slughorn and the head of the Burke family," Lucius replied at once.
Voldemort answered almost without hesitation. "Let Professor Slughorn in first."
A smile played across his face as he said it.
If Old Avery had reminded him of a friend from the past, then Mr. Slughorn brought back memories of his school days.
Those had been rare, happy times—but they were gone now.
Lucius hurried out. Before long, Slughorn came in, fat as a great walrus.
"Ha ha! My Lord, I should have guessed sooner that you would return."
Laughing, he walked toward the desk, gesturing with both hands as he spoke. "I still remember the question you asked me. Good heavens, you were an absolute genius."
Voldemort rose with a smile, came around the desk, and gave him a hearty hug.
"Professor, you can call me Voldemort. Given our relationship, you may do so."
After the embrace, Voldemort put an arm around Slughorn's shoulders and looked at his bulging eyes with a smile.
"I only thought it showed you more respect," he replied with a laugh. "But if that's what you ask, Voldemort, you're just as brilliant as ever."
As Voldemort gestured for him to sit, Slughorn patted him on the back.
It was a familiar gesture, but not one that showed much respect. Voldemort noticed that as Slughorn did it, he kept watching Voldemort's expression out of the corner of his eye.
His old teacher was still as fond of studying people's hearts as ever.
"You haven't aged much